The Shark Blog

Often times the best
value to be found at the draft table is on players who recently suffered a
downturn, but are poised to turn things around.Sometimes you have to just forgive and forget. Last season is in the
past and let's move on. Here are some guys who should see a significant rebound
in their production this season.

Offense

Jeff Carter LOS

It was a fascinating
season for Carter, as he journeyed through highs and lows before ending the
season with a Stanley Cup held over his head. He was traded twice, and injured
multiple times, which prevented him from finding any kind of chemistry or rhythm.
He ultimately was able to contribute for LA and should be ready for a fresh
start in 2012. Expect a bounce back in goal and point totals this year, in the
neighborhood of 35 / 70.

Matt Duchene COL

Duchene set the bar
pretty high with his first two seasons, which made last year's troubles so
disappointing. If the Avs are going to improve, it will have to be on the
shoulders of this man. 2012-13 was significantly interrupted by a sever knee
injury in late December. He never found his form after that and finished with
just 28 points in 58 games. He may fall off the map for most in your draft, so
put the ole * next to his name and snag him in a late round. A fresh start
should help him get back into fantasy relevance. Remember, he's just 21 years
old and his best is still to come.

Alex Ovechkin WAS

The last two seasons
have been disappointments for fans of #8, who had grown accustomed to seeing
him dominate the league for first five years of his career. So, can he get back
to that level again? Perhaps only Adam Oates knows. Last season, Ovechkin ranked
30th in total fantasy value. It's hard to imagine him finishing that low again.
Look for a big correction in 2012-13.

Derek Roy DAL

Roy has average a
mere 40 points over the last two seasons. 2011 can be explained, since he only
played 35 contests and scored 35 points. What happened last year is a mystery.
80 games, 44 points, and a ticket to Dallas. I'm not ready to write off this talented
center, particularly since he has a new start and will be feeding Jagr early in
the year. Expect a comeback.

Chris Stewart STL

2011-12 was a
complete write-off for Stewart, who all but disappeared from the fantasy
picture. This followed a couple of seasons where he projected as a top notch
power forward. The adjustment to St. Louis has not been easy. He still provides
plenty of PIMs, but will need to regain the goal-scoring touch that netted
back-to-back 28 goal seasons. You can target him late on the hopes of a
comeback season.

Defense

Drew Doughty LOS

Doughty was a
colossal disappointment through the first half of last season. By the end of
the season, and certainly after lifting the Cup, memories of the big-contract
hangover were long gone. Through January 2011, he had managed just 2 goals. He
closed the season with 10 goals and 36 points. With a Cup ring on his finger,
he is poised to challenge for some personal hardware this time around.

Mike Green WAS

Has there ever been
such a dramatic fall from grace for a fantasy hockey superstar? After
consecutive seasons with 70+ points, the last two years for Green have been
horrific. He hasn't been healthy for a long time, which obviously limited his
chances. When he did play, he struggled to understand his role in the new-look
controlled Capitals systems. He was the heart of the run and gun Capitals and
found himself wondering what his role is. Assuming he's healthy, he still has
the raw talent to be a huge fantasy factor. It may come down to Adam Oates and
how much of a green light he gives Green. Green claims to be healthy and
optimistic about the 2012 coaching situation, so this could be the steal of the
draft if you catch him with a mid-round selection.

Tyler Myers BUF

Myers has now
recorded 3 season in the NHL and has seen his stats drop each year, following
his Calder Trophy year. Last season was largely interrupted by a broken wrist
that held him out for all of December. The Sabres came on strong down the
stretch last season, as did Myers. Expect a big time bounce back for his
fantasy value in 2012-13.